Damage detection algorithms applied to experimental modal data from the I-40 Bridge

Because the I-40 Bridges over the Rio Grande were to be razed during the summer of 1993, the investigators were able to introduce damage into the structure in order to test various damage identification methods. To support this research effort, New Mexico State University (NMSU) contracted Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) to perform experimental modal analyses, and to develop experimentally verified numerical models of the bridge. Previous reports (LA-12767-MS and LA-12979-MS) summarize the results of the experimental modal analyses and the results obtained from numerical modal analyses conducted with finite element models. This report summarizes the application of five damage identification algorithms reported in the technical literature to the previously reported experimental and numerical modal data.